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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Glaucous Gull - larus hyperboreus

 

Glaucous Gull is a large and powerful gull, very pale in all plumages with no black in the wings or tail. They breed in the arctic regions of the northern hemisphere and the Atlantic coasts of Europe. Brunnich coined the term Larus glaucus in 1764 as a direct reference to a 'greyish-blue gull'. The term 'glaucous' is from the Latin 'glaucus' and the Greek 'glaukos' and refers to the colouration; 'a pale greyish or bluish green' or 'having a frosted look'. The scientific name 'hyperboreus' derives from the Latin 'hyperborei' meaning from the extreme north.

 

There have been nine Glaucous Gulls reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2012: (2)

On January 5th a 2nd winter was seen at New Passage at around 15:50. It continued on towards Severn Beach at around 6 metres range flying low along the sea wall. It was also present for several hours off New Passage in an area known as The Scars on January 8th; A 3rd year bird was reported flying inland over New Passage on April 13th;

 

2002: (1)

A juvenile was watched on December 31st at Northwick Warth.

 

 

Glaucous Gull on Northwick Warth. December 2002. Paul Bowerman.

 

1991: (1)

One, an adult was seen in flight on March 21st at Aust Warth and was last seen heading south-west.

 

1984: (2)

On January 11th a 2nd winter was observed on Severnside and was present until February 25th; An immature was found on January 22nd at Oldbury-on-Severn.

 

1950: (1)

One, an immature was found on January 8th at Severn Beach.

 

1938: (1)

On December 27th an immature was located at Severn Beach. Following a week of severe weather, an immature bird visited the Severn estuary late in December. It was watched at close quarters between Avonmouth and Severn Beach on the 27th and again on the 30th. When seen alongside a Great Black-backed Gull, it was correspondingly large with an equally massive bill. This, and the greyish-white plumage with an entire absence of black on the primaries, placed its identity beyond doubt.

 

c.1840: (1)

A winter adult was 'obtained' on the Severn Estuary. It was presumably collected sometime over the first winter period, January/ February or the second winter period in December. It was featured in Yarrell's British Birds at the time. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

 

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